Gore’s hip doing OK, so are spirits despite contract status

Frank Gore said his once-broken hip emerged in good shape from Friday night’s 24-3, exhibition-opening loss at New Orleans. He has been practicing at full speed and looking like the 49ers’ typical workhorse since ending a four-day contract holdout at the start of camp.

He said he is still hoping the 49ers will soon extend his contract, which expires after this season and calls for him to make $4.9 million. Here is a question-and-answer session before Tuesday afternoon’s practice:

Q: How did Friday night’s game go for you?

A: I was happy to be back out there on the field with my teammates. I hadn’t been out there in a while but it was fun.

Q: What did you think of the first-team offense?

A: We’re going to be fine. We’ve just got to clean up some stuff. We’re learning right now. ComeSeattle, we’ll be alright.

Q: When it came to the film, what did the coaches say about mistakes?

A: Just mistakes. Small mistakes. We watched the film. If we didn’t make mistakes, there would have been big plays made, and y’all wouldn’t be asking me questions (about that) right now.

Q: What are your impressions of Kendall Hunter?

A: He’s a tough little dude. He’s learning right now, trying to get the offense down pat. He’s very quick. He has great feet. He’s sneaky fast. When you’re watching him, you’re not thinking he’s fast, but when you try to chase him, you notice he’s fast. He’s going to be a good player.

Q: How are you and Kendall being used in the passing game differently than last year?

A: I will have a lot of catches this year. The quarterback has to get the ball out and it’s all timing. I think I’ll have a lot of catches this year.

Q: Are you a go-to guy on all-out blitzes?

A: I hope we would have really put that in the Saints game. They would have been in trouble. But it was preseason game. On third down when they’re doing all out blitzes, the running back is going to be (a) hot (receiver). We’re going to be fine.

Q: You haven’t taken part in a lot of exhibition games over the years. Is this to test your body or see how you’re adapting to the scheme?

A: I was hoping not to play because I like to work hard in practice. But I was happy coach let me get out there for just a couple plays, to let me get some hits in and get the speed back of the game again. Once I got in, I didn’t want to come out. I got my seven plays and I felt I did alright.

Q: Have you felt any adverse affects with your hip?

A: I feel good. I feel like 22-year-old Frank Gore, ready to take the load, ready to play. I feel I can score any time I touch the ball, block anybody I’ve got to block. Right now I’m just trying to get the offense down pat and get ready forSeattle(in the Sept. 11 season opener).

Q: When you suffered the injury, did you think how it might affect your career and did you think of Bo Jackson?

A: The doctor told me it was serious but it wasn’t as risky as the Bo Jackson injury. I asked him, ‘Would I ever be able to be the same?’ He said, ‘yeah.’ I was like, ‘OK.’ I just had to do what he told me to do, keep the brace on, try not to move around and not test it. That’s what I did. I just followed what he told me to do.

Q: What kind of brace was it?

A: A big brace. I couldn’t move my leg, for about a month.

Q: Any idea if the 49ers will sign Culpepper?

A: I let them handle their business. That’s their part. If they want to sign him, they’ll sign him. I try to handle what I have to do, and that is to being a great football player and be the best for theSan Francisco49ers.

Q: Any word on a contract extension for you?

A: Not yet, not yet. I’m just out here learning, trying to get better and trying to help (Anthony Dixon). I let my agent handle that. Hopefully it will get done soon.

Q: Were you under the impression that it would get done in the first week or so once you got back here, or before the regular season?

A: I never thought about it. Hopefully it will get done before the season. If it doesn’t, I just have to go play here. If I have to be a free agent, I’ll be a free agent.

Q: You’re within striking distance of becoming the franchise’s all-time leading rusher. Is that a goal for you?

A: I haven’t thought about that since my injury. This offseason I was thinking about just getting back to me. Now that I see I’m on the practice field feeling good trying to get the game pace. Before the season when I sit down and think about those type of goals, yeah, that would be one of those goals. Hopefully I’ll stay healthy and get it done.

Q: You’re going to wear Joe Perry’s number (decal) on the back of your helmet. Does that add anything to the campaign?

A: Nah, not at all.

Q: Kendall is a quiet guy to even those close to him. Have you gotten to know him on a personal level?

A: Not really. He’s a quiet dude.

Q: Any conversations with him?

A: A little bit, about his family and out here and to talk to him about the speed of the game and what to expect. I try to tell him what he should have done.

Q: Before practice when you’re working on individual conditioning, what specifically are you trying to get loose?